Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said the planned withdrawal of about 200 United States troops deployed to the country for counter-terrorism operations is part of the evolving nature of the security partnership between both countries.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, made this clarification in Abuja on Wednesday during a media briefing by spokespersons of security agencies at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Uba said the withdrawal would not bring an end to security cooperation between Nigeria and the US, noting that intelligence sharing, training and other forms of technical support would continue.
The main contingent of US personnel deployed earlier this year to north-eastern Nigeria to support counter-terrorism operations, particularly through intelligence sharing, targeting assistance and training related to militant groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin, is expected to leave the country by the end of September.
A smaller team focused on advisory and intelligence functions is expected to remain.
Responding to questions about the planned withdrawal, Uba said the development had attracted considerable public interest and required clarification.
He said the US-Nigeria security partnership was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and professional military cooperation.
“The cooperation is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance, and other forms of professional military cooperation,” he said.
Uba added that where both countries jointly determined that additional measures, including joint strikes, were necessary, such operations could be undertaken.
APC chairman abducted in Kano
Meanwhile, suspected bandits reportedly killed an Almajiri and abducted the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State, Abdullahi Beli.
An eyewitness said Beli was abducted from his residence during an overnight attack on his Beli village near Zarewa town.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community on Monday night, killing the Almajiri during the assault before abducting the APC chairman.
The development was also confirmed by the Kano State APC Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Sojo.
Sojo told The Guardian that Beli was kidnapped shortly after returning from a party engagement in neighbouring Zarewa community.
He said security agencies had been deployed to the area as part of efforts to locate and rescue the abducted party official.
The incident comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of Kano State, where armed groups have carried out attacks and abductions in some communities.
